In Memory Of
Walter Coy Gardner
1937
2022
Walter Coy Gardner
November 15, 1937 — March 3, 2022
Loving husband and father, Walter Gardner, passed away peacefully in his home in Olathe on March 3rd after a brief battle with cancer. Walter, age 84, was surrounded by his family members when he passed, including his loving wife of 65 years, Phyllis (née Blackwell).
Walter was born to Bernie and Nona (née Coon) Gardner on November 15, 1937 in Cross Timbers, Missouri. He attended Hermitage School in Hermitage, Missouri. While in school, he enjoyed playing baseball, fishing, and helping his family with all the chores that accompanied life on the farm in southern Missouri.
After graduation, Walter moved to the Kansas City area and joined Bales Baptist Church, where he and Phyllis attended regularly. They were married in 1957. Walter was employed by SG Metals from 1959 until 1982, first as a metallurgist and later as a plant manager. In 1982, Walter and his family relocated to Mansfield, Ohio, where they lived until returning to the Kansas City area in 1987 for employment opportunities and to be near family.
Walter was devoted to walking in the Christian faith, and to sharing in the fellowship of believers at College Church of the Nazarene, where he and Phyllis were members for more than 25 years. Although he faced recent challenges of illness and infirmity for both Phyllis and himself, he never wavered in his faith. He often said that his life was in the hands of Jesus, and he believed he served a God of miracles in all things.
Walter enjoyed woodworking, antiques, road trips and the Kansas City Chiefs. Over the years, he traveled many times cross-country to visit family and friends. He had a particular fondness for Arizona, where he and Phyllis traveled several times during their retirement years.
Walter is preceded in death by his sister, Norma Parrot, and his brother, Leonard. He is survived by many loving family members, including his wife, Phyllis, of Olathe; his brother Arthur, of Fort Worth, Texas; three children: David (Patty) of Independence; Lori (Tim) of Lockport, Illinois; and Phillip (Julie) of Minnetonka, Minnesota; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Walter will be laid to rest on Tuesday, March 8, at 1:30pm, in a private graveside service for the family at Olathe Memorial Cemetery, with Pastor Daniel Vanderpool of Olathe College Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army Outpost Food Pantry @ College Church, 2020 E. Sheridan St. Olathe, KS 66062.
The only scars in heaven won't belong to me and you
There'll be no such thing as brokenness, and all the old will be made new.
The thought that makes us smile now, even as the tears fall down
Is that the only scars in heaven
are on the hands that hold you now
To leave a message of condolence for Walter's family or to share a special memory of Walter, please visit the guestbook below.
Walter was born to Bernie and Nona (née Coon) Gardner on November 15, 1937 in Cross Timbers, Missouri. He attended Hermitage School in Hermitage, Missouri. While in school, he enjoyed playing baseball, fishing, and helping his family with all the chores that accompanied life on the farm in southern Missouri.
After graduation, Walter moved to the Kansas City area and joined Bales Baptist Church, where he and Phyllis attended regularly. They were married in 1957. Walter was employed by SG Metals from 1959 until 1982, first as a metallurgist and later as a plant manager. In 1982, Walter and his family relocated to Mansfield, Ohio, where they lived until returning to the Kansas City area in 1987 for employment opportunities and to be near family.
Walter was devoted to walking in the Christian faith, and to sharing in the fellowship of believers at College Church of the Nazarene, where he and Phyllis were members for more than 25 years. Although he faced recent challenges of illness and infirmity for both Phyllis and himself, he never wavered in his faith. He often said that his life was in the hands of Jesus, and he believed he served a God of miracles in all things.
Walter enjoyed woodworking, antiques, road trips and the Kansas City Chiefs. Over the years, he traveled many times cross-country to visit family and friends. He had a particular fondness for Arizona, where he and Phyllis traveled several times during their retirement years.
Walter is preceded in death by his sister, Norma Parrot, and his brother, Leonard. He is survived by many loving family members, including his wife, Phyllis, of Olathe; his brother Arthur, of Fort Worth, Texas; three children: David (Patty) of Independence; Lori (Tim) of Lockport, Illinois; and Phillip (Julie) of Minnetonka, Minnesota; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Walter will be laid to rest on Tuesday, March 8, at 1:30pm, in a private graveside service for the family at Olathe Memorial Cemetery, with Pastor Daniel Vanderpool of Olathe College Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army Outpost Food Pantry @ College Church, 2020 E. Sheridan St. Olathe, KS 66062.
The only scars in heaven won't belong to me and you
There'll be no such thing as brokenness, and all the old will be made new.
The thought that makes us smile now, even as the tears fall down
Is that the only scars in heaven
are on the hands that hold you now
To leave a message of condolence for Walter's family or to share a special memory of Walter, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter Coy Gardner, please visit our flower store.
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